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Brief Synopsis

A farmer's daughter falls in love with a man who fought against her family in the Civil War.

In 1865, at the end of the Civil War, many residents of Missouri, a border state, remain divided by their allegiances. In Rosy Ridge, in the Ozark mountain region, neighbors still examine the color of a man's britches to determine on which side he fought. Memories of the brutal war are being kept alive in Rosy Ridge by a recent rash of mysterious barn-burnings in the area. The night raids appear to be indiscriminate, as barns of both Confederate and Union sympathizers are being set ablaze. The most recent victim of the night raids, Gill MacBean, an impoverished war veteran who fought for the South, becomes embittered by the attacks and vows revenge. At the urging of his wife Sairy, however, Gill forsakes vengeance, and instead devotes himself to rebuilding his home. One night, the MacBean family takes in a passing young vagrant, named Henry Carson, whose britches are so faded that Gill is unable to determine his loyalties. The amiable harmonica-playing visitor is given food and shelter by the MacBeans, and it is only after the passing of many days that Gill discovers that Henry is a Northerner. By that time, though, Henry has won the admiration of the MacBeans, especially that of Gill's daughter, Lissy Anne, who has fallen in love with the guest. Believing that the time has come for the residents of Rosy Ridge to bury their differences, Henry proposes a town party in which everyone, regardless of their allegiance, will be invited. The party, organized by storekeeper Cal Baggett, gets off to a bad start when one of the guests refuses to dance to a Northern song. The tension mounts when the guests divide into two groups, the Northerners on one side, the Southerners on the other. Though he initially finds it difficult to choose sides, Henry eventually chooses to align himself with the Northerners, a move that shocks the MacBeans. A brawl ensues, after which Gill refuses to allow Henry to return to his home. Lissy Anne, heartbroken by her father's decision, leaves Rosy Ridge with Henry. Vowing to bring his daughter home, Gill sets out with his rifle and bloodhounds to find her. Gill brings Henry and Lissy Anne home, after which Henry confesses that he fought alongside Ben, Gill's son. Henry tells the MacBeans that Ben, who was fatally wounded in a battle and died in his arms, made him promise that he would go to Rosy Ridge and help his family work the farm. Gill, moved to tears by Henry's confession, invites the young man to stay and gives his blessing to marry Lissy Anne.